If you have already colored or bleached your hair and would like to perm it, you may be wondering if it’s okay to do so or if too many chemical treatments will ruin your locks.
Although there has been quite a bit of advancement in hair products, you’ll still need to be very careful about perming bleached hair including how you prep your hair and how you take care of it after a perm.
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What Is a Hair Permanent?
This is a chemical treatment that is applied to hair fibers to modify their structure. Hair fiber texture will be altered to create waves or curls. This is a nice possibility for those with very thin or fine hair as it will add volume.
Applying a permanent is based on individual hair needs so there is no one method-fits-all option. The technique for applying a perm will differ based on individual hair texture. With bleached hair, it requires exceptional caution.
Can Bleached Hair Be Permed Safely?
Perming bleached hair is not a dangerous process, however, it is also not recommended. This is simply because your hair has already been subjected to a chemical process during bleaching.
Applying chemicals several times may not only alter your hair’s structure, but can also contribute to frizzy hair, split ends, and even damage to hair cuticles and breakage. Another risk to perming bleached hair is that it may lighten the color even more.
Does This Mean I Cannot Perm My Bleached Hair?
No, fortunately, many manufacturers of perming formulas now produce formulas that are specifically designed for bleached or colored hair.
This type of perming formula will be milder as it is intended for use on hair that may already be damaged. It may cost more though. Ideally, if you want to perm bleached or colored hair, you should consult a hair care professional.
You can, nonetheless, perm your bleached hair yourself at home. If you decide to do so, make sure to wait at least three weeks after you have bleached or colored before you attempt to perm hair.
Should I Prepare My Bleached Hair Before Perming It?
You need to do a test on a small lock of hair before attempting to perm your bleached hair. Snip a few strands and place them into a glass filled with water.
If the strands sink immediately to the bottom, this indicates that your hair is dehydrated and absorbing the water rapidly. It also indicates that your hair is damaged. You should not perm damaged bleached hair. If your hair floats and does not sink, you should be able to proceed and perm it.
See also: Can I Put Bleach Over Hair Dye that is Semi-permanent?
How Can I Perm My Bleached Hair at Home?
To perm hair at home, you’ll need to purchase a perming kit specifically formulated for bleached hair and a very gentle neutral shampoo for after.
1.) Begin by washing your hair with clarifying shampoo to remove oily residue from your hair.
2.) Dry your hair.
3.) Brush it to remove any tangles.
4.) Now divide your hair into several equally sized sections.
5.) Take several thin strands and wrap them around a curling rod. Do this until you have used all the curling rods for your entire head of hair.
6.) Take the perming solution and apply it to the hair on the rods and leave it to set for approximately five minutes. After five minutes, unwrap a single rod and verify if the hair is wavy or not. If the hair is not sufficiently curly, replace the rod and let it set for another two minutes.
7.) When S-shaped waves appear, you will need to rinse your hair with warm water with the curling rods still in place.
8.) Using a blow dryer, with the rods still in position, dry your hair.
9.) Now apply the neutralizing solution to the curling rods and leave them for ten minutes.
10.) Using warm water thoroughly rinse your hair with the rods still inserted.
11.) Take your blow dryer and dry your hair, and then remove the curling rods gently.
12.) Avoid brushing your hair, opting to comb gently. At least three days should pass before resuming shampooing your hair.
Hair Care for Bleached, Permed Hair
Whenever you apply chemical treatments to your hair, it will become dehydrated to some extent. After bleaching, perming, or doing both to your hair, you should use a gentle shampoo that does not contain sulfates to avoid further stress on your hair.
After shampooing your hair, use a deep conditioner, and apply a conditioning mask to your hair at least twice weekly to counteract chemical damage. This will nourish your hair as well as keep it soft and shiny.
Always use a soft brush or a wide-tooth comb for your hair to reduce the risk of breakage and further damage.
See also: How Long Should Coconut Oil Be Applied to My Bleached Hair?
Is Perming Worse than Bleaching for Hair?
Both processes are chemically based and harsh on hair fibers. Bleach will some damage immediately, while a perm may not show damage if the hair is properly cared for following the process. All the same, perming is damaging and stressful to hair fibers.
Should I Bleach or Perm First?
Consider that hair care professionals do not recommend bleaching and perming too closely timewise. They suggest coloring hair first in the event there are corrections to be made, and then perming after several weeks.
How Long Will My Perm Last?
A permanent can last for as little as two months to as long as a year depending on your hair, the quality of the permanent, how you care for your hair after the perm, and what your hair suffers regularly from pollution to sunlight exposure and more. Great care and conditioning will prolong the life of your perm.
The Bottom Line
If you want to perm bleached hair, it should not be done if you have colored your hair recently. Wait several weeks for your hair to rest before applying a second chemical process.
Consult a hair care professional, if possible, when bleaching or perming your hair. Test your hair to verify if it is sufficiently healthy to withstand chemical treatments before proceeding.
Use a specifically formulated perm kit designed for bleached or colored hair. Follow up any treatment you do with deep conditioning and hair masks to minimize damage and nourish your hair.
